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Nurse retires after 50 years' service

A much valued nurse at Darlington Memorial Hospital has finally
decided to retire after 50 years of service.

Sister Kath Fawcett began working at the hospital in 1966, when
she was 16 and, apart from two short breaks for the birth of her
daughters, Jane and Kate, worked at the hospital until her
retirement this month.

Commenting, Kath, said, "As a child it was my dream to become a
nurse, after spending a couple of weeks in hospital myself when I
was five. The nurses were so lovely to me, kind, caring and
thoughtful. I've never forgotten how that made me feel and
have tried to make every patient I've cared for over the years feel
the same. I believe that, in addition to excellent clinical care,
thoughtfulness and compassion can make being unwell more
bearable.

"As you would imagine, I've seen many advancements in treatments
and technology over the years but making sure patients have the
very best experience in our care has always been a priority for
me."

Kath specialised in caring for the elderly for most of her
career, most recently on ward 52.

Kath, said, "There have been massive changes in what is possible
in healthcare and a key part of nursing is trying to ensure people
are able to lead a full life for longer. Elderly
patients have much better outcomes now than at any time I can
remember. I'm really going to miss caring for them and
working with such great colleagues."

Manager of ward 52, Norman Devlin, commented, "It's difficult to
imagine the ward without Kath who has been an invaluable member of
our team for so long. But we wish her a long, happy and much
deserved retirement."

18 April 2017

'As I was very, very nervous, I must have been the worst patient
ever and they were brilliant with me and I can't thank them enough
- could you please pass on my sincere thanks.'